Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure to visit Angkor Thom (Great City). You will begin with the South Gate and the famous Bayon Temple from the 12th and 13th centuries, dedicated to Buddhism. The temple consists of no fewer than 54 gigantic towers and 216 faces of Avalokitesvara. You will continue your visit with the Terrace of the Elephants, 350m long, located at the foot of the Royal Hall and used as a site for public ceremonies. This is followed by the Terrace of the Leper King, built in the 12th century, which features various sculptures of apsaras… and Phimeanakas, Baphuon, and the Elephant Terrace.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the marvelous Angkor Wat temple, a World Heritage site built in the 12th century (1112–1152) in honor of Vishnu; it covers an area of 200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat and a wall measuring 1300m x 1500m. Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world, famous for its slender towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs, and is considered one of the most remarkable monuments ever conceived by man. The unmissable Ta Prohm follows.

You will have a choice:

• Option 01: Admire the sunset from Bakheng Hill.
• Option 02: Return to the center of Siem Reap for a short Tuk Tuk ride and the opportunity to participate in a Buddhist ceremony, where you will be blessed by monks wishing you happiness and prosperity for your holiday.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Leaving the city, we set off along a newly paved road to the temple of Banteay Srei (10th century), considered the crown jewel of classical Khmer art. Then, continue your visit to Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. it consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries; the southern example is remarkably well-preserved.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

Continue to Tonle Sap (50km ~ 1 hour), the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and an ecologically critical site, declared a “biosphere reserve” by UNESCO in 1997. The name means “Great River of Fresh Waters,” but it is more commonly translated as “Great Lake.” Head toward the floating village of Kompong Phluk, located about an hour from Siem Reap and visited by thousands of tourists each year. Kompong Phluk is one of the most impressive villages due to the height and size of its stilt houses.

Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your flight to Hanoi. Arrival at Noi Bai Airport via flight [Flight #] – HANOI (HAN) at [Time TBD]. Meeting with our driver at the exit (recognizable by a sign with your name) after baggage claim and customs formalities. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at your disposal (guide/transport/sightseeing not included). Meals on your own and overnight stay at a hotel in Hanoi.

Please Note:

• Rainy Season (Aug – Jan): You will take a boat to explore the village and continue toward Lake Tonle Sap (walking inside the villages is not possible).
• Dry Season (Feb – Aug): You will take a car to the village and then go on a walking tour. Afterward, you will board a local boat to navigate through the canals toward the great lake, where the inhabitants move their houses according to the seasons.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Pick up by your guide for a visit to the Ethnography Museum (closed every Monday), which offers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural richness of the numerous ethnic groups within Vietnam, or the Women’s Museum (as an alternative to the Ethnography Museum). After the museum, it will be time for the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam); considered the first national university of Vietnam, it was built under the Ly Dynasty in the 11th century. The complex served as a place of worship for Confucius and a school for royal children.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior only, as it is closed on Mondays and Fridays) before taking a pleasant walk through the botanical gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House where he lived and worked, and Ba Dinh Square, the site where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence from the French in 1945. You will then stop at the One Pillar Pagoda, considered one of the most important symbols of the city.

Afterward, you will visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, dating back to the 6th century during the dynasty of Emperor Ly Nam De. Finally, you will take a rickshaw ride (xich lo) for about 40 minutes around Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword)—which evokes the legend of a giant turtle and a magic sword used to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam—and the shared Old Quarter of Hanoi with its famous streets teeming with life.

The day ends with a Water Puppet Show, depicting the daily life, culture, and beliefs of the Vietnamese people through puppets on water. The tour ends around 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM. At the end of the visits, return to the hotel.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at a hotel in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Ninh Binh, a jewel enriched by historical, cultural, religious, and natural wonders. During the journey, you will pass through the Red River Delta, where you can stop if you wish to capture the beauty of the landscape.

Upon arrival at Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam from the 9th to the 10th century, you will visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh dynasty (968–80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le dynasty (980–1009), who played vital roles in reclaiming the country’s independence after a thousand years of Chinese rule.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

The next stop is Tam Coc, also known as “Halong Bay on Land,” which appeared in the famous French film Indochine. Upon arrival at the pier, you will take a private sampan boat for a ninety-minute cruise along the Ngo Dong River. You will pass through three caves and witness a breathtaking landscape interspersed with small villages, rice paddies, cemeteries, and temples.

The tour then continues to Bich Dong (closes around 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM), a typical pagoda in the Red River Delta countryside built in the 15th century. Upon arrival, you will cross a stone bridge to reach Chua Ha, from which over 100 steps lead to Chua Trung—the cave pagoda featuring unique clay statues. You will then walk up to Chua Thuong. In this location, you will not only have the chance to learn about Buddhism but also enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the countryside.

At the end of the visits, return to Hanoi. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at a hotel in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Shared transfer (private upon request with a supplement) via the cruise company’s shuttle bus to the port of Halong (approximately 4 hours with a break along the way).

Halong Bay, meaning “the bay where the dragon descends into the sea” in Vietnamese, is an enchanting bay featuring thousands of limestone islands, karst caves, stacks, and islets that make it a picturesque and charming location. Magnificent, mysterious, and majestic, Halong Bay has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994 and is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Day 1 of the 2-day, 1-night (2G1N) cruise program. Meals included (Lunch and Dinner) and overnight stay on board the cruise.

PLEASE NOTE: The navigation itinerary in Ha Long Bay may change depending on the cruise company, sea conditions, and the decisions of the Bay Management Authority. The guide on board will be English-speaking. A guide for the transfer from Hanoi is available for a supplement; please refer to the “Supplements” section.

Breakfast on the deck of the junk boat, where you can sip your coffee while admiring the splendid bay at sunrise. You will spend the morning relaxing on the cruise amidst the magical landscapes of Halong Bay.

Brunch on board. Disembarkation and return to Hanoi. Transfer via our private vehicles to Hanoi airport for your flight to Hue.

Arrival in Hue, welcome (without a guide), and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.

Along the quiet banks of the Huong River (the Perfume River), the city of Hue in central Vietnam offers travelers the relaxed and romantic atmosphere of a place suspended in time. It is often called the most romantic city in Vietnam, a title recognized by travelers with a poetic soul. It is also a city with the best cuisine in the country, according to those who have dined in the many restaurants lining the Perfume River.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The day begins with a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. It is the city’s spiritual highlight, well-known for its majestic octagonal tower and the splendid view over the Perfume River. The next stop is the Hue Citadel, the most famous vestige of what was once the Imperial City of Vietnam. It is composed of three distinct parts: the Capital City, the Imperial City, and the Forbidden Purple City: Kinh Thanh (the Capital), Hoang Thanh (the Imperial City), and Tu Cam Thanh (the Forbidden City).

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to visiting the traditional Thuy Xuan incense village, where talented artists preserve the “soul” of the Vietnamese nation’s traditions day after day. This is followed by the Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc, the most representative monument of Nguyen Dynasty architecture and one of the most marvelous constructions of the 19th century. The day concludes with a visit to the Dong Ba Market.

At the end of the visits, return to the hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at a hotel in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Hoi An, with a stop at the fishing village of Lang Co and the Cloud Pass (Hai Van Pass).

Upon arrival in Hoi An, the rest of the day is dedicated to visiting the city of lanterns. The first stop is Cam Pho – one of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An. It was built following traditional Chinese architecture, serving as a center for worship, trade, and cultural exchange between locals and Chinese and Japanese merchants.

Take a short walk to the symbol of Hoi An – Chua Cau, or the Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century to allow access from the Chinese quarters to the Japanese quarter. Continue toward the Ancient House of Quan Thang – one of the most authentic ancient houses in Hoi An. Its lively and refined architecture and sculptures were crafted by artisans from the famous Kim Bong carpentry village in an Oriental style. The house offers a glimpse into the daily life of a Hoi An family. Conclude the day at the Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall, built in the 17th century as a meeting place for residents, traders, and visitors from the specific Fujian region of China.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant (not included) during the visits. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner on your own at a local restaurant and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Phu Bai Airport in time for your domestic Economy flight with Vietnam Airlines/Bamboo Airways: [Flight #] – HUE (HUI) – SAIGON (SGN) [Time TBD] (included).* (Includes 23kg checked baggage + 12kg carry-on baggage (max 115 cm: 30cm x 60cm x 18cm) for Vietnam Airlines Economy Lite/Classic classes). 

*Availability and prices are subject to change without notice until tickets are issued. To be verified.

Arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport. You will be welcomed by our guide at the exit (look for a sign with your name) after baggage claim and customs formalities. Room availability is guaranteed from 2:00 PM.

The rest of the day is dedicated to visiting the Independence Palace, once the seat of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our visit includes seeing the North Vietnamese tank that crashed through the gates of the presidential palace in 1975, ending the controversial Vietnam War. Next is the unmissable War Remnants Museum (Bao Tang Chung Tich Chien Tranh), which offers a unique opportunity to understand the Vietnamese perspective on the bloody Vietnam War. Continue your tour toward the Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, walking to the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Saigon Central Post Office, a splendid building designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. For the rest of the day, you are free to visit the city’s most famous market, Ben Thanh Market, which has been open since 1870.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at a hotel in Saigon.

Formerly known as Saigon, the city was renamed after the political leader of the North at the end of the civil war. Today, it represents the beating heart of Vietnam—its largest city—reflecting a unique fusion of indigenous culture and deep French and Chinese influences, clearly visible in its architecture.

Breakfast at the hotel.

A morning journey toward Ben Tre, a beautiful region of the Mekong Delta famous for its coconut candy production. Arrive at the Phong Nam Bridge for a boat trip on the Ben Tre River to discover local daily life. Stop at a brick kiln to observe the traditional brick-making process. Along the canal, you will visit one of the many coconut processing workshops, where you can taste fresh coconut and see how every single part of this fruit is transformed into its derivative products. Continue your boat trip along a canal to the village of Nhon Thanh, which will be an opportunity to taste fresh fruit. Take a bicycle ride (or Tuk Tuk) along a small path through the villages and enjoy the views of coconut trees, rice paddies, and vegetable gardens.

Lunch included at a local restaurant.

Transfer to Can Tho. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at a hotel in Can Tho.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet our guide at the hotel reception at 7:00 AM.

Transfer to the pier for a boat trip to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market – the largest and most vibrant in the Mekong Delta. A multitude of colors and scents fills the air, creating a lively atmosphere where hundreds of sampans, laden with goods such as rice, fruit, and handcrafted products, arrive at the market at the first light of dawn to sell their wares.

Breakfast at a local farm during the visits.

After leaving the market, you will continue the boat trip through the canals and visit a fruit garden. Return to Saigon, stopping along the way at the Binh Thuy Ancient House, home to an orchid garden and the filming location for “The Lover.”

Return to Saigon, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

NOTE: The Cai Rang market is at its most beautiful between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time in the city. Greeting and transfer to the airport for your return flight, concluding the Vietnam and Cambodia Tour.

We wish you a pleasant journey home!

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